Free youth psychotherapy sees rising demand in Styria

More young people in Styria are seeking psychological support, and a free programme offers help without requiring a diagnosis, ORF reported. Since 2022, the Austria-wide initiative “Gesund aus der Krise” has provided 15 free sessions for children, teenagers and young adults up to 21 who need psychotherapeutic care.

More than 8,600 children and young people in Styria have received counselling or treatment through the programme. Almost one in 10 had their support extended. Across Austria, 57,000 children, teenagers and young adults have benefited, said Clemens Könzöl of the Styrian professional association for psychology. About 2,800 people in Styria received help from psychologists or psychotherapists through the project last year alone.

The number helped in Styria has almost tripled since the programme began, when it stood at just over 1,000, according to the Association of Austrian Psychologists.

The concerns young people bring to the programme have also shifted. Loneliness linked to the Covid pandemic was a prominent issue at the start; now, school-related pressures are more common, Könzöl said. These include exam anxiety, social pressure and fear of not meeting expectations, which can lead to stress and contribute to mental illness.

More than half of young people are affected by depressive symptoms, while nearly one in two has sleep problems, the report said. The programme does not require a diagnosis, and it has enough resources to provide help quickly despite long waiting times elsewhere, according to ORF.